Raise with confidence.
Not hope.
The difference between a successful raise and a failed one often comes down to preparation — the quality of your numbers, the credibility of your forecast, and how well your business is structured for investment. Runway gets you there.
Funding and investment readiness for UK founders
Raising funding — whether from investors, lenders, or grant bodies — requires more than a good idea. It requires financial credibility: clean accounts, a robust forecast, a defensible valuation, and a business structure that gives investors confidence.
Runway works with founders at every stage of the funding journey — from early preparation through to due diligence and completion. Whether you're raising your first round or refinancing for growth, Runway makes sure your numbers tell the right story and stand up to scrutiny.
What investment readiness actually means
Being investor-ready isn't just about having a pitch deck. It means your business can withstand scrutiny — and that the financial story you're telling is backed up by the numbers.
Financial model and projections
Credible forecasts investors can stress-test
Historic accounts and management info
Clean, accurate, up to date in Xero
Cash flow forecasting
Demonstrating how funding will be deployed and what it generates
Business valuation
Understanding your worth and how to defend it
SEIS and EIS structuring
Qualifying correctly so investors access the reliefs that matter
Company structure review
Clean cap table, investor-friendly share structure
Due diligence preparation
Having the answers before you're asked the questions
The right type of funding for your business
Not all funding is the same. The right option depends on your stage, your goals, and your appetite for giving up equity or taking on debt. Runway helps you understand the landscape and prepare accordingly.
Bank loans and growth finance
Traditional lending for established businesses
Equity investment
Angel, seed, or institutional investment for a stake in your business
SEIS and EIS
Government-backed schemes offering significant tax incentives
Grant funding
Sector or region-specific funding with no equity or repayment required
Asset finance
Funding specific equipment without drawing on working capital
“Runway's ‘can do’ rather than ‘can't do’ approach is so refreshingly different. They feel genuinely invested in our business and its success.”
Astaris
IT Company
Frequently asked questions
It depends on where you're starting from. A business with clean financials, up-to-date management accounts, and a clear growth story can be investor-ready relatively quickly. If your records need work or your structure isn't right, that takes longer. Runway will give you an honest assessment of your timeline and what needs to happen.
SEIS and EIS are government programmes offering significant tax reliefs to individual investors backing qualifying UK companies — making early-stage investment considerably more attractive by reducing investors' downside risk. Runway will assess whether your business qualifies and structure the raise accordingly.
Not always — it depends on the stage and type of investment. For most early-stage raises and SME lending, well-prepared statutory accounts and up-to-date management accounts are sufficient. Runway produces accounts with investor scrutiny in mind.
Runway prepares the financial materials and supports the process — introductions to specific investors or lenders typically sit with specialist advisors or brokers. Where relevant, Runway will point you toward the right people and make sure you're financially prepared for those conversations.
Starting too late. Runway sees it consistently — founders who begin preparing their financial story only when already in conversation with investors. The businesses that raise most successfully have been building toward it for months: clean records, credible forecasts, and a compelling financial narrative ready to go.
Ready to take the
next step?
Book a free 30-minute call with a Runway co-founder. No pitch, just practical advice.